The Best Foundations For Mature Skin
Finding the perfect foundation is tricky for everyone; you need to factor in your skin undertones and the shade match!
There are many elements to consider when shopping for the correct shade but I can help you find the right foundation for you here!
If you are looking to update your foundation but not sure what to buy, where to start, or what is suitable for you, you firstly you want to consider your skin type.
Not all foundations are made equal, there are multiple products formulated specifically for oily, combination, dry and normal skins. Some foundations are even designed to flatter maturing skin more than others.
It can be a challenge to find the right foundation, but trust me there will always be the perfect one for you.
If you are unsure of your skin type use the following as a guide to help you best identify where you are at currently;
Oily Skin - The skin has a shiny or greasy appearance and visible pores. You may experience clogged pores and blackheads.
Combination Skin - Skin has an oily T-zone (forehead, chin and nose), and enlarged pores in these areas. Your cheeks may feel normal to dry.
Dry Skin - Can feel tight, rough and can look dull. Not all but some dry skin can flake and have visible dry patches.
Normal Skin - Well balanced, neither too oily nor too dry. The skin can have some fine pores, good blood circulation and a velvety, smooth texture.
As the skin naturally changes, you may notice more texture and pores appearing. You will probably find your skin does a 180 and change completely to what you have been used to over the years.
When you start to notice fine lines, wrinkles and drier skin this is the time to start looking at the type of foundation you are using. I would highly recommend using liquid foundation instead of powder foundation as this will be far more flattering on the skin.
Checking for formulations with an element of skincare, such as hyaluronic acid and serum-based foundations will be beneficial for your skin in the long-run.
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I can give you a lot of advice during a personalised makeup lesson which is very thorough with knowledge and tips. I can also give you a breakdown of what you need to look out for when selecting a foundation for mature skin and how to prep your skin with the right skincare.
However, if you are just wanting foundation advice right now I can absolutely help you now!
One thing we need to discuss before getting to the product recommendations is how you to select the right shade and undertone for your skin. Undertones and skin shades are not the same thing. Selecting the wrong undertone can be detrimental to how you look overall, you could accidentally make yourself look sallow and unwell by picking the wrong tone.
Hopefully this quick guide below will help you understand a few things you need to consider.
Checking your skin undertone;
This is not to be confused with your skin tone such as light, medium, or deep. We want to identify if you have “cool”, “warm”, or “Neutral” tone to your skin.
A “cool” undertone is where you look washed out, pale, have a cold appearance to the skin. Typically you will suit silver jewellery better and your wrist veins will be more blue to look at. If this sounds like you and the sun does not give you any colour you want to look for a foundation that appears more pink to the eye. “Most” brands help with this by referencing P or C on the bottle or as part of the reference to the shade colour.
A “warm” undertone tends to suit gold jewellery better, appears to have green looking veins on the wrist and tends to tan easily. Your skin may have a warmer hue to it, or a peachy tone. When shopping for foundations you will want to look for a yellow-tone foundation. Brands typically reference W on the bottle or part of the shade name.
If you feel both gold and silver jewellery suit your skin with ease without looking off, your veins appear to be a mix of blue and green, and you pick up a little sun, you are likely to have a “neutral” undertone. This indicates that your skin undertone is a mix of pink and yellow. Brands generally refer to this tone as N.Go one shade darker;
Our skin can start to look a little washed out and lose it’s natural colouring as we age so it can be more flattering to have a bit of warmth/depth by selecting one shade deeper than you normally would. When we match to our actual face tone it can look a little flat and dull. We can of course apply blush and bronzer to counteract the flatness, but starting with a foundation slighter darker can begin to lift your face and give you life.
Your foundation finish;
Unless you are oily, the best finish for ageing skin is a dewy, luminous, glowy, satin, or a natural finish. The reason? We lose that natural glow in the skin after menopause so we want to fake healthy, radiant skin. Skincare will help with bringing back some of the dewiness and radiance, but selecting a foundation finish which is not matte will be incredibly flattering.
Matte and powder foundation formulas should be avoided completely, these will instantly age you. And for anyone with dry skin this will enhance the look of dryness and will begin to look cakey and overdone.
For oily and combination skins a satin or matte finish will be the most flattering and will keep the shine at bay.There are a few finishes to be mindful of so you can pre-determine the type of end result you desire.
Satin finish - Balance between matte and dewy, suitable for most skin types and natural in appearance.
Natural finish - Aims to look as close to your natural skin as possible, providing light to medium coverage without appearing heavy or cakey.
Dewy finish - Gives the skin a naturally glowing, hydrated appearance.
Radiant finish - Similar to a dewy finish but gives your skin a luminous, glowing finish - a more enhanced version of a dewy look.
Matte finish - A flat, shine-free appearance on the skin, typically with minimal oil content. This helps for oily skin and some combination skins.
The below list is not exhaustive by any means, but these are the foundations that I would recommend for mature and ageing skin.
Medium coverage, natural finish
Suitable for;
Oily skin
Combination skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Buildable coverage
Resistant to water and heat
Long-wearing
Day-long hydration
Medium coverage, satin finish
Suitable for;
Oily skin
Combination skin
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Improves texture
Blurs imperfections
Buildable coverage
Day-long hydration
Medium coverage, natural finish
Suitable for;
Oily skin
Combination skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Lit-from-within luminosity
Visibly blurs imperfections
16 hours of fade-resistant long-wear
Medium coverage, matte finish
Suitable for;
Oily skin
Combination skin
Benefits;
Colour Correcting
16-hour shine control
Sweat-proof formula
Blurs the look of pores
Cover fine lines, skin imperfections, dark circles, facial redness, discoloration, and uneven skin tone
Medium coverage, dewy finish
Suitable for;
Combination skin
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Infused with a hydrating serum
Doesn’t settle into lines
Buildable formula
Budget friendly
Sheer coverage, dewy finish
Suitable for;
Combination skin
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Tinted moisturiser
Hydrating gel-cream
Visibly blurs imperfections
Infused with Hyaluronic Acid to boost hydration
Visibly evens skin tone
Light to Medium coverage, luminous natural finish
Suitable for;
Combination skin
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Buildable coverage
Long-wearing
Improves skin quality over time
Infused with Hyaluronic acid
Provides up to 24-hour hydration
Budget friendly
Full coverage, radiant finish
Suitable for;
Combination skin
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Colour Correcting
Visibly smooth fine lines
Infused with Hyaluronic acid
Up-to 24-hour wear
Medium coverage, natural healthy glow
Suitable for;
Combination skin
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Buildable coverage
Up-to 24-hour wear
Long-lasting
Medium coverage, natural finish
Suitable for;
Combination skin
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Buildable coverage
Visibly reduces dark spots in 12 weeks
Sweat, humidity and water-resistant
Up-to 24-hour wear
Medium coverage, radiant finish
Suitable for;
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Instantly conceals fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation and uneven texture
Infused with collagen-based peptides
Flexible formula to help prevent creasing or migration into wrinkles
Budget friendly
Light coverage, satin finish
Suitable for;
Combination skin
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
Light to buildable coverage
Visibly enhances complexion
Infused with skincare ingredients
Evens skin tone and visibly reduces dark spots over time
Budget friendly
Sheer to light coverage, dewy finish
Suitable for;
Combination skin
Dry skin
Normal skin
Benefits;
16-hour buildable coverage
Visibly enhances complexion
24+ hour hydration
Improves tone and texture
Humidity-proof
Application Advice
Please keep in mind that when using foundation it is not always about the formula and product you have chosen; it also comes down to how you have been looking after your skin with your skincare routine, and how you are preparing it before application.
The way you apply your foundation and what you use are also key! You need a lot less product than you realise, but you also need to be using the right brush and the right technique.
If you would like further help with your makeup routine, and to be shown how to confidently apply your makeup using the right techniques and products, please do get in touch below. I want to help you feel good in your skin and for you get the most out of your makeup without looking cakey and over-the-top. Let’s create a natural-looking makeup that still looks and feels like you!
